A new study shows when people wear their hearts on their sleeves, they have an easier time attracting a mate and beginning healthy relationships. Click on the audio player to hear more on this story in this edition of The Jazzy Report on The D.L. Hughley Show.

Women are less likely to pay attention to things like heart health and blood pressure, according to this edition of The Jazzy Report. Click on the audio player to hear what makes women less attuned to that aspect of their health, on The D.L. Hughley Show.

After a recent shopping trip I overheard a woman saying she stays away from eating healthier because she is on a fixed income and healthy food is way to expensive. I was a little stunned, but I also could empathize with her confession. I have been there, in the grocery store deciding what healthy foods to buy without being broke until payday.

On the journey to your ideal weight, it is very important to eat foods that promote a healthier lifestyle but, how do you do that on a budget. Eating healthy does not have to break the bank. You can eat deliciously nutritious foods for less than a $1 and below this list will show you how.

List of 44 Foods Under a $1:

1. Black beans, $0.30 cents per ½ cup serving, about $1 per can These unassuming beans pack a ton of fiber and have a solid amount of calcium, fiber, potassium, and folic acid. Pro-tip: Buy the dry beans for an even better nutritious and money deal — boiling beans at home may preserve more of their cancer-fighting antioxidants. Cook up some black bean soup, or make a healthy black-bean dip.

3. Almonds, $0.60 for a 1oz serving (20-25 nuts), about $5 per 8oz bag Rich in monounsaturated fat and fiber, these super-nuts could reduce the risk of diabetes and decrease body weight. (Sorry, Almond Joys don’t count.) Munch on ‘em during the day, or add to a bowl of cereal or oatmeal for extra healthy fats and protein.

4. Peanuts, $0.50 for a 1oz serving (25-30 nuts), about $4 per 8oz bag Take me out to the ball game on the cheap. Sure, peanut butter might be a dangerfood, but in their natural form, these legumes are a healthy treat. When eating in moderation, peanuts supply a dose of healthy fats and can reduce the risk of heart disease. When in any chicken and veggie dish, they add a great Asian-inspired flare!

5. Garbanzo beans, $0.30 per ½ cup serving, about $1 per can These little beans pack a serious amount of fiber. Add to a salad, roast them with curry powder, or make your own hummus.

7. Oats, $0.13 per serving, about $1 per pound (in bulk) Take a tip from Mr. Ed. Oats are high in fiber, low in fat, and may even help lower cholesterol. What’s not to love? Enjoy a bowl of oatmeal, substitute for flour in cookies, or even use as breadcrumbs.

8. Pinto beans, $0.30 cents per ½ cup serving, about $1 per can The health factor of refried beans at a Mexican restaurant may be questionable, so mash them up at home. These beans are full of protein and fiber and are a delicious addition to any homemade burrito — breakfast, lunch, or dinner!

9. Tofu, $0.50 cents per 4oz serving, about $2 per poundHigh in protein and low in fat, tofu is a delicious source of protein for vegetarians and meat-eaters alike. Plus, soy in moderation may help reduce cholesterol and the risk of breast cancer. Pan-fry tofu with veggies in the next stir-fry, or even add the silken variety to a fruit smoothie.

10. Pumpkin seeds, $0.50 per 1oz serving, about $5 per pound Move over birds, these seeds are for us humans (and not just on Halloween)! Filled with essential vitamins and minerals, along with protein and iron, sprinkle these in a salad or roast with spices for a healthy, crunchy treat.

11. Chicken breasts, $0.75 per 4 oz serving, about $2.99 per pound Forgo the McChicken on the dollar menu — a small fresh chicken breast is $0.25 cleaper and filled with healthy, lean protein. Grill ‘em, bake ‘em, or enjoy sliced in a whole-wheat wrap with veggies.

12. Canned salmon, $0.75 per serving, about $1.50 per can No need to splurge on a salmon filet to enjoy this Omega-3-packed seafood. Grab the canned version for some protein power without dishing out the big bucks. Whip up some homemade salmon burgers or chowder with a twist.

13. Canned tuna, $0.75 cents, about $1.50 per can Not only is tuna fish cheap, but it’s an easy way to get Omega-3’s (which could make us brilliant). Mix with Greek yogurt and chopped veggies for a healthier tuna salad.

Dairy

15. Yogurt, about $1 per 6 oz cup Skip the bagel and pick up a quick treat that’s filled with protein and calcium! Enjoy for breakfast with some granola, or as a post-workout snack. Just beware of flavors loaded with extra sugar, and remember that low-fat varieties will be lower in calories (if you’re counting). Extra points for choosing superfood Greek yogurt — though it can be more expensive, so waiting for it to go on sale is a smart move!

16. Low-Fat Milk, $0.25 cents per cup, about $4 per gallon Got milk? One calcium-filled glass can help keep teeth strong and even help keep off those excess pounds. Add a splash to a fruit smoothie, or enjoy in a bowl of oats or cereal.

17. Cottage cheese, $0.88 per 1/2 cup serving, about $3.50 per 16 oz container It’s time to put looks aside. This clumpy, mild cheese is surprisingly high in protein, and tastes great in both sweet and savory dishes. Like yogurt and most other dairy products, cottage cheese typically comes in full-fat, low-fat, and fat-free varieties — choose whichever fits best into your diet. Try it topped with sliced pineapple and berries for a sweet protein-packed treat, or make it savory in a creamy pasta sauce.

Whole Grains

18. Whole-grain pasta, $0.37 cents per ½ cup serving, about $3 per box Move over, white stuff; the whole wheat version of pasta is full of fiber, antioxidants, and protein, and may help lower risk of heart disease. Enjoy its nutty flavor with stir-fried veggies and hearty marinara sauce.

It may be thrilling when love makes your heart skip a beat, but under any other circumstance that may not be a good thing.

Sudden Cardiac Arrest (SCA), which differs from a heart attack, occurs when the heart stops beating abruptly and without warning. It is one of the leading causes of death in the U.S., claiming more than 350,000 lives a year.

Dr. Kevin L. Thomas of the Duke University Medical Center and the Association of Black Cardiologists wants African Americans, who are disproportionately affected by SCA, to talk to their doctors about prevention, early intervention and appropriate treatment.

No one really likes going to the doctor. There is always that fear your physician will find something wrong and if you are feeling some aches or pains, you hope you can ignore it and whatever it is will go away on its own, nothing more than a minor, passing inconvenience.

But ignorance is no excuse – especially when it comes to heart disease and African Americans.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women in the U.S. For African Americans, nearly 45 percent of men and 47 percent of women have cardiovascular disease.

There are several risk factors that can lead to heart disease; a major one is high blood pressure. African Americans are more likely to have high blood pressure and develop it earlier in life compared to whites and left unmanaged, it increases the likelihood of developing heart disease.

People with type 2 diabetes, often caused by poor diet, obesity and lack of exercise, also are at an increased risk for heart disease and stroke. African Americans are 1.4 times more likely to develop diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. In the 65-74 age group, the risk is two-fold, according to the American Diabetes Association.

The National Stroke Association reports stroke is the fourth cause of death in the country, with more than 750,000 people experiencing a stroke annually. African Americans are two times more likely to die from stroke than any other racial group. Women of all races are more susceptible, with 55,000 more women suffering a fatal stroke each year than men. Statistics from the National Stroke Association show that 80 percent of strokes are preventable, with proper health care and a healthy lifestyle.

Diet, exercise, regular checkups are routinely recommended. But in case you missed the message the first dozen times, U.S. Surgeon General Regina Benjamin is calling on the public and health care professionals to join an effort to help African Americans stave off heart disease and related issues.

Million Hearts is a national initiative to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes by 2017, by educating the public and health care professionals and bringing together diverse partners from across the country to fight heart disease and stroke.

Benjamin says the good news is heart disease can be controlled – and even prevented – just by making gradual changes.

A healthy diet, with foods low in sodium and trans-fat like fruits and vegetables, is a big first step. Reducing sodium is critical because about 90 percent of Americans eat more sodium than they should. Generally speaking, black Americans should limit their intake of sodium to no more than 1,500 mg per day.

One way to gauge what you are ingesting is to eat less processed food and read the nutrition labels to see how much sodium is in a serving.

Other preventive measures generally recommended by health professionals include not smoking; limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks a day for men; managing diabetes and monitoring blood sugar levels; keeping cholesterol levels in the healthy range; monitoring blood pressure and taking calcium and magnesium supplements, minerals shown to be helpful in controlling high blood pressure, one of the strongest risk factors for stroke.

If you already have high blood pressure, follow doctor’s orders, whether it is making dietary changes and getting more exercise or taking prescribed medication regularly and as directed.

The Affordable Care Act makes preventive services such as blood pressure and cholesterol screening, smoking cessation, and obesity counseling more accessible than ever and at no out-of-pocket cost to millions of Americans with private health insurance or on Medicare.

Annabelle Volgman says too many women feel ignored or dismissed by their doctors and the need for a place where they felt they could be taken seriously was a major impetus behind the Rush Heart Center for Women.

Volgman, who is the center’s medical director, has published numerous articles about women and heart disease and is a leader of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement.

]]>http://blackamericaweb.com/2013/02/20/get-well-wednesday-dr-annabelle-volgman-says-black-women-should-take-heart-health-seriously/feed/0Annabelle-volgman-headshot-660bawjazminependletonHappy? Positive outlook may be good for your hearthttp://blackamericaweb.com/2012/04/18/happy-positive-outlook-may-be-good-for-your-heart/
http://blackamericaweb.com/2012/04/18/happy-positive-outlook-may-be-good-for-your-heart/#respondWed, 18 Apr 2012 12:24:34 +0000http://local.sta.oomphcloud.com/?p=1003Be happy – it seems to be good for your heart.

Scientists have long known that Type A personalities and people who are chronically angry, anxious or depressed have a higher risk of heart attacks.

Now a Harvard review of the flip side of that psychology concludes that being upbeat and optimistic just may help protect against heart disease.

Rather than focusing only on how to lessen heart risks, “it might also be useful to focus on how we might bolster the positive side of things,” said lead researcher Julia Boehm of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Boehm reviewed dozens of studies examining a positive outlook – as determined by various psychological measurements – on heart health. Optimism in particular seems key, as a number of studies found the most optimistic people had half the risk of a first heart attack when compared to the least optimistic, Boehm said.

Why? Previous work shows the stress associated with negative psychological traits can lead to damage of arteries and the heart itself.

Boehm found that people with a better sense of well-being tend to have healthier blood pressure, cholesterol and weight, and are more likely to exercise, eat healthier, get enough sleep and avoid smoking. But she cautioned that it will take more research to tease apart if a positive outlook makes people feel more like taking heart-healthy steps – or whether living healthier helps you feel more positive.

The review, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, was published Tuesday by the Psychological Bulletin.

More research is needed but that link between psychological and physical well-being makes sense, said Dr. Elizabeth Jackson of the University of Michigan and American College of Cardiology, who wasn’t involved with the review. Among her own heart patients, she has noticed that those who feel they have some control over their lives and are invested in their care have better outcomes.

What if you’re by nature a pessimist? “That’s a hard question. There’s no magic happy pill,” Jackson said.

Some research has found that asking people to smile helps put them in a better mood, Boehm noted, although long-term effects aren’t clear.

“Sometimes it’s hard, particularly in tough economic times, but taking a moment to just relax and enjoy a sunny day might be good heart health,” Jackson said.